Adaptive Off-Road Lighting Control via Operator Line of Sight
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive light systems for off-road vehicles are not optimized for their specific requirements, particularly in terms of adjusting lighting to the operator's focus of attention and external light influences, leading to inefficient energy use and glare risks during off-road use.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive light system for off-road vehicles that includes a control unit adjusting emission characteristics and light intensity based on the operator's line of sight, relative position, and cartographic location information, using a lighting device with individually controllable headlights and optical devices, and a data interface for wireless position information, to optimize illumination and reduce glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the lighting device illuminates a large area to improve visibility, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the energy consumption increases and glare risk to other vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by controlling different lighting zones with different intensity levels. The lighting device divides the illumination area into multiple zones, with higher intensity in the operator's focus area (determined by line of sight) and lower or no intensity in areas where other vehicles may be present. This allows the system to provide adequate illumination where needed while reducing overall energy consumption and minimizing glare to other vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the illumination characteristics based on real-time conditions including the operator's line of sight, relative positions of other vehicles, and external light influences. The control unit continuously modifies the emission characteristics and light intensity of different lighting zones, transitioning from static to dynamic control to optimize the balance between illumination coverage, energy consumption, and glare prevention.
2Illumination intensity
If the lighting device increases light intensity to improve visibility, then the illumination quality is improved, but the glare risk to other vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different light intensity levels to different spatial zones. High intensity illumination is concentrated in the operator's line of sight area and work area, while zones where other vehicles are detected receive reduced or no illumination. This spatial differentiation of light intensity ensures adequate visibility for the operator while minimizing glare risks to other road users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors that detect the positions of other vehicles and external light influences to continuously adjust the lighting output. The control unit receives information about the relative positions of other off-road vehicles and external light sources, then modifies the emission characteristics accordingly, reducing intensity in directions where other vehicles are present to prevent glare while maintaining adequate illumination in the operator's focus area.
3Use of energy by moving object
If manual adjustment of lighting is used to reduce energy consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the operational complexity and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system performs self-service by automatically adjusting its emission characteristics based on sensor inputs without requiring manual intervention from the operator. The control unit autonomously processes information from line-of-sight detection, vehicle position sensors, and external light influence detectors to optimize lighting performance. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment while maintaining energy efficiency, resolving the contradiction between automated optimization and operational simplicity.
4Reliability
If the lighting device illuminates all surrounding areas to ensure safety, then the safety coverage is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing enhanced illumination specifically in areas critical for safety based on the operator's line of sight and the positions of other vehicles. Rather than uniformly illuminating all surrounding areas, the system concentrates lighting resources on zones where safety is most critical (forward viewing area, work area) while reducing or eliminating illumination in areas where other vehicles are present or where safety risks are lower, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the safety illumination coverage based on real-time conditions. When other vehicles are detected nearby, the system reduces illumination in their directions to minimize glare risks. When the operator's line of sight indicates potential hazards or when external light influences are detected, the system adjusts illumination accordingly. This dynamic adaptation maintains safety coverage while optimizing energy consumption based on actual operational needs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Adaptive lighting system (10) of an off-road vehicle (14), comprising a lighting device (16) that can be controlled with respect to its beam characteristics and/or light intensity, and a control unit (18) that adapts the beam characteristics and/or light intensity by controlling the lighting device (16) according to a determined viewing direction of a vehicle operator (42), determined extraneous light influences, a determined relative position of an off-road vehicle (50) and/or cartographic location information.